Exercise and Sport Physiology (BS)

This major provides a strong science-based curriculum of advanced courses in exercise physiology, exercise testing and prescription, strength and conditioning, and research methodology with an emphasis on the improvement and understanding of human performance. Laboratory activities, research, and clinical applications are components of this program. Majors will be prepared for careers in clinical research settings, strength and conditioning, and the health/fitness industry. The major also provides a strong foundation for future graduate studies in Exercise Science, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and other allied health related fields. In addition, the program prepares students to challenge select certification examinations such as the American College of Sports Medicine’s Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).

3+2 BS/MS Degree Option
Students interested in graduate study in exercise science who have completed all prerequisite courses at the end of the 3rd year of study can apply to the MS degree program for their 4th year of study.  Students who complete all requirements will earn the BS in Exercise & Sport Physiology at the completion of their 4th year and the MS in Applied Exercise Physiology & Human Performance at the completion of their 5th year.

Exercise & Sport Physiology 

Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
EX 2755Introduction to Exercise Science3
EX 3580Physiology of Exercise3
EX 3750Physiology of Exercise Laboratory1
EX 3860Exercise Testing and Prescription3
EX 3865Exercise Testing and Prescription Laboratory1
EX 4520Principles and Theories of Strength and Conditioning3
EX 4770Exercise Physiology for Special Populations (WRCO)3
BI 2110
BI 2130
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory I
4
BI 2120
BI 2140
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory II
4
CH 2335General Chemistry I (QRCO)4
CH 2340General Chemistry II4
HE 3220Applied Nutrition for Healthy Living (TECO)3
MA 2300Statistics I (QRCO)3
PE 3570Kinesiology3
PE 3720Motor Learning3
General Education
EN 1400Composition4
IS 1115Tackling a Wicked Problem4
CTDICreative Thought Direction3-4
PPDIPast and Present Direction3-4
SSDISelf and Society Direction3-4
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI) 14-8
DICODiversity Connection3-4
GACOGlobal Awareness Connection3-4
INCOIntegration Connection3-4
WECOWellness Connection3-4
Option Requirements
Complete one from the following required options27.5-33.5
BS in Exercise & Sport Physiology
3+2 BS in EX, MS in Exercise Science and Sport Performance
3+3 BS in EX, Doctor of Physical Therapy Option
Total Credits120
1

Directions should total 16-17 credits because SIDI is waived for BS Exercise and Sport Physiology. 

BS in Exercise & Sport Physiology Option

Course Title Credits
HE 2500First Aid and CPR/AED1.5
EX 4525Principles and Theories of Strength and Conditioning Laboratory1
EX 4820Advanced Exercise Physiology3
EX 4825Advanced Exercise Physiology Laboratory1
EX 4840Research Methods in Exercise Science (WRCO)3
Professional Skills - Complete two:3
Flexibility, Core, and Balance Training
Burdenko Conditioning
Resistance Training Techniques
Psychology Choice - Complete one:3-4
Social and Behavioral Health Psychology
Psychological Aspects of Sports
Capstone Experience - Complete one:
EX 4830Applied Research in Exercise Science4-12
or EX 4880 Exercise & Sport Physiology Internship
Electives19.5-21.5
Total Credits39-50

3+2 BS in EX, MS in Exercise Science & Sport Performance Option 

Course Title Credits
3+2 MS in Exercise Science & Sport Performance Requirements
EX 5210Advanced Exercise Physiology3
EX 5220Advanced Exercise Physiology Laboratory1
EX 5310Research Methods in Exercise Science3
EX 5410Applied Research in Exercise Science4
EX 5510Graduate Seminar in Exercise Science1
EX 5520Advanced Exercise Testing & ECG4
EX 5610Advanced Strength and Conditioning4
EX 5710Advanced Practicum in Exercise Science3
EX 4525Principles and Theories of Strength and Conditioning Laboratory1
HE 2500First Aid and CPR/AED1.5
Psychology Choice - Complete one:
PBH 3210Social and Behavioral Health Psychology4
CC 3860Psychological Aspects of Sports3
Professional Skills - Complete two:
PE 2428Flexibility, Core, and Balance Training1.5
PE 2640Burdenko Conditioning1.5
PE 2831Resistance Training Techniques1.5
Electives4.5-6.5
Total Credits
MS in Exercise Science & Sport Performance (final year)
EX 5620Behavioral Intervention Strategies4
EX 5730Advanced Topics in Exercise Physiology4
EX 5840Exercise Biochemistry & Sports Nutrition4
EX 5920Exercise Physiology in Clinical Populations4
EX 6100Graduate Internship in Exercise Science3-6
EX 6200Graduate Thesis in Exercise Science3-6
Total Credits63.5-71.5

3+3 BS in EX, Doctor of Physical Therapy Option 

Course Title Credits
3+3 DPT Option Requirements
AHS 2200Pre-Professional Observation Experience1-2
AHS 3305Epidemiology and Evidence Based Medicine (GACO,QRCO,WRCO)4
PH 2110College Physics I4
PH 2120College Physics II4
Social/Behavioral Science elective3-4
To satisfy the social/behavioral science elective requirement, take any 3-4 credit course within the following disciplines at the 3000 or 4000 level: PS, SO, PBH, SE
Upper Level EX Choice - Complete one:3
Principles and Theories of Strength and Conditioning
Exercise Physiology for Special Populations (WRCO)
Total Credits
DPT Year 1 (Summer and Fall semesters) 2
PTH 6110Clinical & Functional Anatomy4
PTH 6111Clinical Physiology3
PTH 6112Ethics and Value Systems2
PTH 6115Patient/Client Management I2
PTH 6116Integrated Clinical I1
PTH 6120Neuroscience4
PTH 6121Musculoskeletal Conditions & Management3
PTH 6122Dynamic Systems I: Movement & Adaptation3
PTH 6124Clinical Inquiry I: Causality and Inference3
PTH 6125Patient/Client Management II4
PTH 6127Integrated Clinical II1
Total Credits49-51
2

Students who wish to matriculate early into the DPT program, consistent with the 3+3 EX to DPT framework, must earn a minimum grade of B- in all pre-requisite courses (BI 2110, BI 2130, BI 2120, BI 2140, CH 2335, CH 2340, PH 2110, PH 2120, MA 2300, PE 3720, EX 3580, EX 3860, social / behavioral science elective), earn a minimum science GPA of 3.3 (BI 2110, BI 2130, BI 2120, BI 2140, CH 2335, CH 2340, PH 2110, PH 2120, PE 3570, EX 3580), and a minimum overall GPA of 3.5, and complete the PTCAS application requirements during fall of year 3 in the EX program.

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

To complete the bachelor’s degree in 4 years, you must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credits each semester or have a plan to make up credits over the course of the 4 years.  For example, if you take 14 credits one semester, you need to take 16 credits in another semester.  Credits completed must count toward your program requirements (major, option, minor, certificate, general education or free electives).

BS Option 

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
EX 2755 Introduction to Exercise Science 3
IS 1115 Tackling a Wicked Problem 4
EN 1400 Composition 4
BI 2110
BI 2130
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory I
4
 Credits15
Spring
Professional Skills Course 1.5
MA 2300 Statistics I (QRCO) 3
BI 2120
BI 2140
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory II
4
SSDISelf and Society Direction 3-4
PPDIPast and Present Direction 3-4
 Credits14.5-16.5
Year Two
Fall
PE 3570 Kinesiology 3
CH 2335 General Chemistry I (QRCO) 4
CTDICreative Thought Direction 3-4
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI) 3-4
Professional Skills Course 1.5
 Credits14.5-16.5
Spring
EX 3580 Physiology of Exercise 3
EX 3750 Physiology of Exercise Laboratory 1
CH 2340 General Chemistry II 4
HE 2500 First Aid and CPR/AED 1.5
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI) 0-4
WECOWellness Connection 3-4
 Credits12.5-17.5
Year Three
Fall
PE 3720 Motor Learning 3
EX 3860 Exercise Testing and Prescription 3
EX 3865 Exercise Testing and Prescription Laboratory 1
DICODiversity Connection 3-4
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI) 0-4
HE 3220 Applied Nutrition for Healthy Living (TECO) 3
 Credits13-18
Spring
EX 4520 Principles and Theories of Strength and Conditioning 3
EX 4525 Principles and Theories of Strength and Conditioning Laboratory 1
EX 4770 Exercise Physiology for Special Populations (WRCO) 3
CC 3860
Psychological Aspects of Sports
or Social and Behavioral Health Psychology
3-4
GACOGlobal Awareness Connection 3-4
 Credits13-15
Year Four
Fall
EX 4820 Advanced Exercise Physiology 3
EX 4825 Advanced Exercise Physiology Laboratory 1
EX 4840 Research Methods in Exercise Science (WRCO) 3
Electives 6-8
INCOIntegration Connection 3-4
 Credits16-19
Spring
EX 4830
Applied Research in Exercise Science
or Exercise & Sport Physiology Internship
4
Electives 9-12
 Credits13-16
 Total Credits120
1

Directions should total 16-17 credits because SIDI is waived for BS Exercise and Sport Physiology.

3+2 Option
 

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
EX 2755 Introduction to Exercise Science 3
IS 1115 Tackling a Wicked Problem 4
EN 1400 Composition 4
BI 2110
BI 2130
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory I
4
 Credits15
Spring
Professional Skills Course 1.5
MA 2300 Statistics I (QRCO) 3
BI 2120
BI 2140
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory II
4
SSDISelf and Society Direction 3-4
PPDIPast and Present Direction 3-4
 Credits14.5-16.5
Year Two
Fall
PE 3570 Kinesiology 3
CH 2335 General Chemistry I (QRCO) 4
CTDICreative Thought Direction 3-4
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI) 3-4
Professional Skills Course 1.5
 Credits14.5-16.5
Spring
EX 3580 Physiology of Exercise 3
EX 3750 Physiology of Exercise Laboratory 1
CH 2340 General Chemistry II 4
HE 2500 First Aid and CPR/AED 1.5
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI) 0-4
WECOWellness Connection 3-4
 Credits12.5-17.5
Year Three
Fall
PE 3720 Motor Learning 3
EX 3860 Exercise Testing and Prescription 3
EX 3865 Exercise Testing and Prescription Laboratory 1
DICODiversity Connection 3-4
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI) 0-4
HE 3220 Applied Nutrition for Healthy Living (TECO) 3
 Credits13-18
Spring
EX 4520 Principles and Theories of Strength and Conditioning 3
EX 4525 Principles and Theories of Strength and Conditioning Laboratory 1
EX 4770 Exercise Physiology for Special Populations (WRCO) 3
CC 3860
Psychological Aspects of Sports
or Social and Behavioral Health Psychology
3-4
GACOGlobal Awareness Connection 3-4
 Credits13-15
Year Four
Fall
EX 5210 Advanced Exercise Physiology 3
EX 5220 Advanced Exercise Physiology Laboratory 1
EX 4840 Research Methods in Exercise Science (WRCO) 3
EX 5500 Graduate Seminar in Exercise Science 3
EX 5610 Advanced Strength and Conditioning 4
INCOIntegration Connection 3-4
 Credits17-18
Spring
EX 5410 Applied Research in Exercise Science 4
EX 5220 Advanced Exercise Physiology Laboratory 1
EX 5730 Advanced Topics in Exercise Physiology 4
EX 5700 Advanced Practicum in Exercise Science I 4
 Credits13
 Total Credits120
Upon completion of this major, exercise and sport physiology students will possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to:
 
  • Explain the acute and chronic effects of resistance and aerobic exercise on metabolism and the cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular systems. 
  • Describe the pathophysiology and risk factors associated with exercise and disease.
  • Demonstrate the ability to administer and interpret health appraisals, fitness, and clinical exercise testing for healthy, athletic, and special populations.
  • Design and monitor exercise prescriptions for healthy, athletic, and special populations.
  • Critically interpret current literature in exercise physiology. 
  • Demonstrate proficiency in performing laboratory and field-testing techniques in clinical exercise physiology and strength and conditioning.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of and show ability to carry out the research process in a collaborative environment.
  • Apply theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom to practical experiences in clinical and/or applied settings. 
  • Demonstrate proficiency in performing laboratory techniques and subsequent analysis of data commonly used in a Human Performance Laboratory.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of and show ability to carry out the research process in a collaborative environment.

Exercise and Sport Physiology prepares you for careers in the fitness industry, strength and conditioning field, human performance laboratory research, clinical exercise physiology, and others, such as the pharmaceutical industry. The degree prepares you for future graduate studies in Exercise Science and is designed to allow you the flexibility to complete prerequisites that may be required for professional post-baccalaureate programs such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Doctor of Chiropractic, etc.